Horse rider injured in SW accident

INJURED RIDER: An injured horse rider has been taken to Bunbury Hospital after an accident at Leschenault, near Australind, today. Source: adelaidenow

A RIDER has been hurt after being thrown from a horse at Leschenault, near Australind in the South West.

The RAC Rescue helicopter was initially sent to the riding accident, about 160km south of Perth, but has since been stood down.

The injured rider has been taken by road ambulance to Bunbury Hospital. It is believed the rider is not seriously injured.

The accident occurred about 10am on Lofthouse Drive, in Leschenault.

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Charged: 'Man drove car at police officer'

CHARGED: A man has attempted to run down a police officer after a pursuit early today. Source: PerthNow

A MAN has been charged following a police chase in the early hours of this morning where a police officer was almost run over.

Officers in the newly-formed Vehicle Crime Unit charged the 20-year-old Bassendean man, alleging at 2am today he evaded police when they tried stopping him on Guildford Road, Maylands.

The police helicopter had to be used to find the Holden Commodore, which was stopped at West Road in Bassendean.

It will be alleged that while police tried to stop the man, he accelerated towards an officer, forcing him to jump out of the way.

The man has been charged with aggravated reckless driving, failing to stop, possession of illicit drugs, doing an act likely to endanger life and driving with a blood alcohol reading in excess of 0.05.

He will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on April 12.

 

Car hits power pole in Success

WESTERN Power have been called to a crash in Success after a car hit a light pole taking down power lines this morning.

The crash happened just before 7am at Hammond Road and Carmel Way.

Only the driver was injured, and St John Ambulance were also called to attend the scene.

Drivers are reminded during the Easter long weekend, double demerit points apply until 11.59pm on Monday April 1.
 

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White House says alien guards 'sacked'

Conspiracy theorists have had a field day with footage of an odd looking bodyguard seen with President Obama, suggesting the guard is an alien shape shifter.

ARE shape-shifting aliens protecting the President of the United States? Not any more - they've been sacked due to budget cutbacks.

A viral video doing the rounds on YouTube claims to have captured footage of an "alien shape-shifter" among President Obama's security team at a March 4 public function.

The narrator points out that the picture is distant and distorted by pixilation and data-compression effects - but then ignores his own advice and concocts a comprehensive conspiracy theory around it.

The obvious security guard - tall, bald and alert - scans the crowd for any visible threat.

Standing in a bright spotlight in a darkened room, his pixelated face looks remarkably featureless and malformed.

A correspondent for Wired magazine decided to take the issue direct to the White House.

A screen capture from a video purporting to have captured images of a "shape-shifting alien" bodyguard at a recent function attended by President Obama.

When the question was posed to National Security Council chief spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden, her reply was unexpected:

"I can't confirm the claims made in this video, but any alleged program to guard the president with aliens or robots would likely have to be scaled back or eliminated in the sequester," Caitlin Hayden quipped.

"I'd refer you to the Secret Service or Area 51 for more details."

There you have it.

No direct denial that alien shape-shifting humanoids are part of the Presidential team...

A screen capture of the purported "shape-shifting alien" bodyguard at a recent function attended by President Obama.

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Man, 84, threatened with tomahawk

AN elderly man was held up in front of his own home last night in Kelmscott by a man armed with a tomahawk.

The 84-year-old was standing in front of his house when he was approached by a man armed with the weapon and demanding cash.

The victim managed to run inside his house, unharmed, and phone police.

The offender is described as dark skinned, slim build aged 20 to 30 years. Anyone with information is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
 

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Demand for answers on wheelchair saga

Ms Paywee was in tears when she was told the news. Source: news.com.au

• Good news for disabled gran after airline shocker 
• They told her to choose between her wheelchair... 
• And a load of clothes for her impoverished family
• Follow this reporter on Twitter

THE Federal Government said it was "disgusting" that a disabled grandmother was forced to choose between her wheelchair or clothing for her children when boarding a plane this month, and will demand an explanation from the airliner involved.

Sarah Paywee was flying from Perth to Bangkok with Thai Airways, and then Kenya Airways from Bangkok to Liberia. It is alleged she was told by a Thai Airways clerk that under Kenya Airways rules passengers were only permitted a baggage allowance of 40kg, and if a passenger did not appear confined to their wheelchair it counted as part of their baggage allowance.

Ms Paywee, who can barely walk without her wheelchair, was reduced to tears at Perth International Airport when she was allegedly forced to discard her gifts at the Thai Airways check-in. The clerk allegedly told her the wheelchair exceeded her baggage allowance.

The new federal parliamentary secretary for disabilities appointed by Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the Cabinet reshuffle this week, Amanda Rishworth, said she found news.com.au's report disturbing.

"I will be asking Thai Airways for an explanation," Ms Rishworth said. "This is a serious barrier for people with a disability."

"It's not luggage. That's the important point. I think it's quite frankly disgusting."

Ms Paywee fled to Australia after her husband was murdered by assailants and she was violently assaulted. She believed her children had been killed during the war, but later discovered that they had survived.

"An expression of love she had waited 20 years to experience"... Sarah Paywee and her friend and supporter Michelle Mattys.

She was determined to save the money to one day return to her family, who live in one of the poorest countries in the world, and wanted to bring gifts of clothing they desperately needed. She was forced to leave the gifts behind as she could not afford the $700 excess baggage fee.

Thai Airways has launched an investigation into all aspects of the incident and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graham Innes said the airlines' rules were not on.

He also said the Government's track record with this issue had been disappointing since Bill Shorten was parliamentary secretary in this area from 2007 to 2011.

The Government set up the Accessible Airlines Working Group to deal with these problems in 2008. A spokeswoman for Transport and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said the group allowed people to have a detailed discussion about ways to improve access to aviation for people with disabilities.

Mr Innes resigned from the working group in February. He wrote in an open letter to Mr Albanese that the group had achieved little significance in the past three to four years.

"This is partly due to a lack of preparedness by airlines and airport operators to accept the gaps in the current provision of access, and take any significant action to improve in these areas," he said.

The new parliamentary secretary for disabilities, Amanda Rishworth, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Picture: Kelly Barnes

"It is mainly due to the government's lack of preparedness to regulate for, or actively encourage improvement in, areas where access is lacking. There has been much talking at the group, but little else."

Ms Rishworth said she would work with Mr Albanese to discourage airlines from putting these disability barriers in place.

She said there had been a number of high profile incidents and she would like airlines to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to airlines. "They really should be doing something about this," she said.

Email this reporter or follow him on Twitter @drpiotrowski

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Man's lucky escape from Jarrahdale crash

LUCKY: A man has escaped serious injury when his car left the road and hit a tree near Jarrahdale, 55km south of Perth. Source: PerthNow

A MAN has escaped with minor injuries after his car left the road and hit a tree near Jarrahdale early today.

The accident happened on Jarrahdale Road near the South Western Highway about 9.30am.

Career and volunteer Fire and Rescue firefighters attended the scene and the RAC Rescue Helicopter was also dispatched, but then diverted when it was revealed the man's injuries were not severe.

In another accident, a woman in her 20s had to be airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital this morning after the car she was driving rolled.

The crash occurred about 9.30am at the intersection of Colbourne Road and Hinkley Road in Walyurin, about 300km southeast of Perth.

Meanwhile, firefighters have also been sent to a car crash on Governor and Rockingham Beach Roads in Rockingham.

The car crashed into a pole about 9.15am, knocking powerlines down and trapping the driver.

Police spokeswoman Naomi Smith said the incidents were a reminder for drivers to be careful over the long weekend.

"We've already had one fatal this Easter," Sgt Smith said. "take care."

A 66-year-old man was killed yesterday killed when his car and caravan rolled over near Albany

The man died and a passenger was injured when the car and caravan they were towing rolled over about 11am at Green Range, east of Albany, about 400km south of Perth, on South Coast Highway.

The National Easter toll stands at seven.

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WA's coral 'snowstorm'

SNOWSTORM: Dr Ray Masini peers through the haze of a spectacular coral spawning off the WA coast. Picture: Dr Chris Simpson, DEC
  Source: PerthNow

ONE of Western Australia's most remarkable natural events - the annual coral mass spawning in the State's north west - is set to take place next week, turning the waters along our coral reefs pink.

Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) marine science program leader Dr Chris Simpson said the autumn spawning, which typically took place 7-10 nights after the March full moon, was predicted to occur between April 3-6

“Mass coral spawning looks something like a pink underwater snowstorm caused by numerous colonies of many coral species releasing their reproductive eggs at the same time,” he said.

“It occurs during neap tides, when there is minimal tidal movement, and the colour is due to the reddish-pink hue of the buoyant coral eggs that come from the most common spawning species, Acropora sp.

“Most coral species are hermaphrodites with both male sperm and female eggs. Evidence suggests that synchronised nocturnal spawning occurs to maximise successful fertilisation, and it happens at night to minimise predation by plankton-eating fish.”

Dr Simpson said the coral spawning was a spectacular natural event that relatively few people had been lucky enough to have seen, however, it was something that the community could witness in the Dampier Archipelago, Ningaloo Marine Park and Abrolhos Islands.

“The predictable nature of coral spawning, which usually goes for around two hours from about 7.30pm, makes it possible for people to experience the event by diving or using a glass-bottom bucket and a torch,” he said.

“They might also see other species such as starfish, sea cucumbers and polychaete worms, which often spawn at the same time.

“Once the corals have spawned and the eggs are fertilised they develop into coral larvae over a week or so and settle on suitable reef habitat where they slowly grow into large colonies and begin the cycle all over again.”

Dr Simpson said that minor spawning events also occurred on the same days after the full and new moons in February and April, but the early April event would be the main period of spawning this year.

"Although most corals in WA spawn in autumn, a few species also spawn during spring, contrasting with the Great Barrier Reef where most corals spawn in spring/early summer.”

View the original article here

Man killed while unloading horses

A 56-YEAR-OLD man has been killed while unloading several horses from a large vehicle in Western Australia's southwest.

It is believed the man was crushed when the door ramp dropped on top of him at a property in Uduc, near Harvey, yesterday.

WorkSafe inspectors are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

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Fremantle line, Underground shut for Easter

OPEN: Mandurah line services can be access from the Esplanade Train Station, with the city Underground closed. Source: PerthNow

CLOSED: The Fremantle to Perth rail line will be out of action this Easter. Source: PerthNow

CITY train services will be disrupted over the Easter weekend, with the Fremantle line and Perth Underground Station shut.

The Fremantle line will be closed from 8pm today (Thursday) with operations returning to normal from the start of services on Tuesday, April 2.

The closure is in place so the Town of Claremont can upgrade one of its underpasses.

Work will also be taking place on the Perth City Link project and replacement buses will be running the length of the Fremantle line.

Perth Underground Station will also be closed for the weekend, forcing Mandurah line trains to start and finish at Esplanade Station.

Passengers wanting to continue into the city or along the Joondalup line will be able to use a bus replacement service, which will run through to Leederville.

The Joondalup Line will operate as normal from Leederville to Clarkson with rail replacement buses between Leederville and Perth.

Armadale trains will operate all stops, but replacement bus services will run between Thornlie and Cannington station.

The Armadale line will operate on an alternative timetable with passengers asked to use the Midland Line platforms at Perth and McIver stations.

The Midland Line will operate as usual.

For information on the closures visit the Transperth website www.transperth.wa.gov.au or phone the Infoline on 13 62 13.

View the original article here

Raw deal for Red Rooster customer

The Red Rooster store in Malaga has been fined for serving raw chicken. Source: PerthNow

A RED Rooster store in Malaga has been fined $75,000 for serving raw chicken.

The fast food business was handed the fine in the Midland Magistrates Court and ordered to pay $2000 in court costs.

The City of Swan prosecuted the business after a customer bought takeaway only to discover the chicken was not cooked when they took a bite.

The court was told after returning home and taking a bite of the food, the customer discovered it contained raw chicken, so they took it back to the store.

The store wanted the customer to hand the chicken over but, unsatisfied with that response, the customer reported the incident instead.

The proprietor plead guilty to selling food not complying the food act, which carries a maximum penalty for a body corporate of $250,000.

View the original article here

Pot plantation to cure mum's cancer

Chronic pain sufferers say cannabis makes life bearable. Source: AP

A MAN who believed radiation and chemotherapy treatment killed three loved ones started growing cannabis because it was a "major benefit" to the immune system and "cured" his mother of cancer.

Michael Bede Dooley, 59, was given a six-month fully suspended jail sentence in the NT Supreme Court for cultivating 81 cannabis plants, The Northern Territory News reports.

The service station owner of Batchelor, south of Darwin, had been growing the crops for up to seven months when police raided his property in May last year.

The court was told that Dooley was growing the plants because he believed cannabinoids were beneficial to the human immune system and could cure his sick mother.

Justice Peter Barr was told his belief stemmed from the loss of his wife, grandmother and friend who were all undergoing radiation or chemotherapy when they died.

Justice Barr said: "This case is a most unusual one."

Read more about it at The NT News website

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Cracking the case of the kiddie crook

This is what our 2 yr old does at night. He picks the lock to his sister's room and takes her stuff...We caught it on video.

IN the case of the rugrat raider, the video evidence was absolute - if a little surprising.

The parents of an eight-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were presented with a dilemma.

She said he was stealing her things. He remained mute.

Mum said "lock your door". So she did.

But the daughter insisted her things would still go missing during the night, including her favourite pillow pet.

Mum and dad were stumped.

Who to believe?

The solution? A camera, of course.

The ensuing video has gone viral and caused a media storm that has apparently prompted the family to go into social-media shut-down.

The video was posted on the weekend under the account name Joanne Moser. The family - from somewhere inside the United States - has since taken advice on how to manage their 15 minutes of world-wide fame.

Media management aside, the parent's don't know whether to be appalled or proud of their two-year-old boy.

"We could not stop laughing afterward and we let him sleep with the pillow pet that night," they told the Huffington Post.

The crafty cherub was captured slipping out of his room and at his sister's door - and picking the lock.

The low-light footage shows the pint-sized pillager using a pair of nail clippers to unlatch the locking mechanism.

On tiptoe, the bambino burglar even goes so far as to conceal the clippers before slipping back into the passage.

The tot then toddles into his sister's open room - and lifts the prized pillow pet yet again.

The little lightfinger returns to his room with his booty - and closes the door behind him.

The preschool-plunderer's punishment may be eternal:

The parents uploaded the clip to YouTube with the following verdict: "This is what our 2-yr-old does at night. He picks the lock to his sister's room and takes her stuff ...We caught it on video."

View the original article here

Gillard won't back down over Gonski

Protesters and supporters of live sheep export outside Thornlie Senior High School, in Perth's south-eastern suburbs, where Prime Minister Julia Gillard is holding a community cabinet meeting. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has warned state governments to expect no compromises at next month's Council of Australian Government Meeting (COAG), saying she is determined to come away with a deal on the Gonski education reforms.

Speaking at the community cabinet meeting in Perth, Ms Gillard said the "end game'' had been reached in the debate between the federal and state governments on the proposed reforms, and she was not about to back down.

From a surprisingly welcoming audience of around 400 people, Ms Gillard was questioned on subjects as wide ranging as the Jandakot Airport to the return of the death penalty in Australia.

But it was on the debate with the states of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the Gonski reforms that Ms Gillard showed her hard edge, saying she "deeply regretted'' not being able to roll out an NDIS scheme in WA later this year.

Asked about what impediments the WA Premier Colin Barnett had put in the way of the Gonski reforms, Ms Gillard renewed her attacks on state governments threatening to withdraw funding from schools.

"We are going to keep the dialogue open, but we are not going to put more money into schools only for state governments to take money out,'' she said.

"We are prepared to talk to get this done, but it can't be against a backdrop of states taking money out.

"We are in the end game of this now, and I am very determined to go to the COAG in April and come out with better deal for Australian children.''

Asked about the lack of co-operation from Mr Barnett on the NDIS, Ms Gillard said she did not believe there was "absence of will'' to support the scheme in WA.

"What we are arguing about is the governance structure - he does not want services governed remotely from Canberra and neither do I,'' she said.

Taking just 12 questions over 45 minutes, Ms Gillard also defended her position on the live export ban.

Flanked by ministers including Stephen Smith, Gary Gray, Kate Lundy and Mark Dreyfus, Ms Gillard fielded all but two of the questions, espousing her views on asylum seekers, the impact of a lower Newstart payment for single parents and the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Perth.

Communications minister Stephen Conroy confirmed the first homes to receive NBN coverage in Perth would be hooked up in June.

Ms Gillard will wrap-up her three-day tour of WA on Thursday morning.

Live export protests

Earlier, Ms Gillard slipped almost unnoticed past various protest groups waiting outside the community Cabinet meeting.

About 200 people in groups supporting and opposing live animal exports, as well as representatives of Vietnam veterans, lined the street outside the school, under the watchful eye of a heavy police presence.

But Ms Gillard's convoy was able to slide past the banner-waving protesters relatively unnoticed, despite fears of angry scenes on the PM's first trip west for more than four months.

Farmer Michael Trant, who runs the "Hadagutful'' protest campaign, said earlier he hoped to bring the farmer's plight to the notice of Ms Gillard.

"We want to make the PM aware of the problem WA farmers are facing since the new live exports regulation came in,'' he said.

"We are sick and tired of being knocked about because a few bad images get put across the media.

"We can't compete with an image of a cow getting its throat cut wrong. No-one likes that.

"Hopefully we can throw a few questions and some assurances something will happen shortly or it is not going to be pretty.''

The opposing view was put by Stop Live Exports rally organiser Katrina Love.

"We are in vehement opposition to live exports and we want to remind the PM that the majority of Australians are in favour of a phase out of live exports,'' Ms Love said.

"It is not about us versus them (the farmers) - both of us are directing our complaints to the government.''

View the original article here

Cracking the case of the kiddie crook

This is what our 2 yr old does at night. He picks the lock to his sister's room and takes her stuff...We caught it on video.

IN the case of the rugrat raider, the video evidence was absolute - if a little surprising.

The parents of an eight-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were presented with a dilemma.

She said he was stealing her things. He remained mute.

Mum said "lock your door". So she did.

But the daughter insisted her things would still go missing during the night, including her favourite pillow pet.

Mum and dad were stumped.

Who to believe?

The solution? A camera, of course.

The ensuing video has gone viral and caused a media storm that has apparently prompted the family to go into social-media shut-down.

The video was posted on the weekend under the account name Joanne Moser. The family - from somewhere inside the United States - has since taken advice on how to manage their 15 minutes of world-wide fame.

Media management aside, the parent's don't know whether to be appalled or proud of their two-year-old boy.

"We could not stop laughing afterward and we let him sleep with the pillow pet that night," they told the Huffington Post.

The crafty cherub was captured slipping out of his room and at his sister's door - and picking the lock.

The low-light footage shows the pint-sized pillager using a pair of nail clippers to unlatch the locking mechanism.

On tiptoe, the bambino burglar even goes so far as to conceal the clippers before slipping back into the passage.

The tot then toddles into his sister's open room - and lifts the prized pillow pet yet again.

The little lightfinger returns to his room with his booty - and closes the door behind him.

The preschool-plunderer's punishment may be eternal:

The parents uploaded the clip to YouTube with the following verdict: "This is what our 2-yr-old does at night. He picks the lock to his sister's room and takes her stuff ...We caught it on video."

View the original article here

Teens, 14 and 15, charged with man's murder

FAMILY ANGER: Family members, not identified for legal reasons, clash with the media after leaving Perth Children's Court where three teenagers appeared on murder charges. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

VICTIM: Mandurah man Tauri Litchfield, 28, who was bashed to death in Mandurah on St Patrick's Day this year. Source: PerthNow

THREE teenage boys charged with the bashing murder of Mandurah man Tauri Litchfield have appeared briefly in Perth Children's Court.

The boys, two aged 14 and one aged 15, were in custody and were not required to enter a plea to the murder charge. They were supported in court by family members who sat in the public gallery.

The teens were remanded in custody and will apply for bail on April 4, next Thursday, via video link.

Outside the court, some family members confronted media, yelling abuse at the media with one man spitting in the face of a television cameraman, then dropping his shorts to expose his buttocks.

The teenagers were arrested yesterday after a series of raids across the metropolitan area in connection with the 28-year-old's death in Mandurah, 80km south of Perth, on the night of St Patrick's Day, March 17.

A 15-year-old boy from Mandurah, a 14-year-old boy from Leda and a 14-year-old from Thornlie in Perth's southern suburbs, have been charged with murder.

Several other people taken into custody yesterday were released, however investigations are continuing into whether others may have been involved.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan told ABC radio it was shocking to see young kids charged over such a crime.
 
"It's always a shock to see kids involved in crimes, but I mean this is a very serious crime for a young person to be involved in, so I think we should all be very sad about that," he said."

"You have to ask all sorts of questions about their background and what led them to this type of lifestyle.

"We'll find that out in time no doubt."

Anyone with information they believe could assist this investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Callers can remain anonymous.

Mr Litchfield was found critically injured in a car park on Pinjarra Road, Mandurah on the night of St Patrick's Day with severe head injuries.

He died a short time later in hospital.

A 17-year-old girl was also found beaten, just metres away from Mr Litchfield's body.

Police believe he was at the Brighton Hotel in the hours before the attack with friends and his partner Lisa, who was the last person he spoke to.

Lisa said he had planned to walk home from the bar.

Last week, Mr Litchfield's sister Kirra said her brother had a passion for the outdoors and was like a magnet to those around him.

"My little brother, he was just such an outgoing and charming man. He had such a passion for people and the outdoors, he spent so much time outside and he had this huge enthusiasm that just kind of sprung out of him," she said.

"You can see it in his smile, you'll see it from the photo. Even when it's on a two-dimensional piece of paper, it hits you in the face.

"He was so caring and he was so loving and loved by so many people .... people have come forward and supported us .... it's just been so overwhelming."

Kirra said her brother was an avid surfer and kitesurfer - an all-round adrenalin junkie.

"It was all about the water sports and when he couldn't get in the water then he was trying to create some sort of water sport-esque thing on the land," she said.

"He was a sail-maker, he loved it. When he was a kid all he really wanted to do was get on boats and then he found a job that he could do on boats."
 

View the original article here

Why is the Grumpy Cat smiling?

Internet celebrity Grumpy Cat, the face that launched a thousand memes, makes a surprise appearance on Friskies Will Kitty Play With It?

SOCIAL MEDIA meme Grumpy Cat is laughing all the way to the bank after 'selling out' and appearing in a series of cat food ads.

The sourpuss, whose real name is Tartare Sauce, was signed up by United States cat food company Friskies earlier this month.

The first of the series of adverts has now hit the airwaves.

The dour-faced cat became famous after appearing in a slew of sharp-witted and cutting internet comments, mostly playing off her expression.

At a recent public appearance, fans waited in lines for up to three blocks in length for a glimpse of the curmudgeonly kitty.

The morbid moggy stars in Will Kitty Play With It?, part of a celebrity-filled series of commercials done in the style of a game show.

Grumpy Cat will no doubt revel in the scandal of selling out to corporate interests, though it is yet to be seen if her cutting internet comments will be curtailed.

The foul-mouthed kitty's rapid rise to fame and fortune even resulted in an interview with Forbes magazine.

View the original article here

Concrete spill, prangs slow early traffic

MESSY: A concrete spill on Wanneroo Road, Tapping is causing problems for motorists this morning. Source: Supplied

A CONCRETE spill on Wanneroo Road in Tapping is slowing traffic before Joondalup Drive.

The spill occurred before 7.45am and is obstructing the road.

Emergency services are attending the spill and motorists are asked to find an alternative route for their morning commute.

The left lane of Alexander Drive has also been blocked in Dianella due to a bus breakdown in the southbound carriageway.

And a crash on the Mitchell Freeway heading south at Edgewater is also blocking a lane.

A motorbike is believed to have gone into the back of a car, blocking the left lane and congesting traffic back to Shenton Avenue.

Emergency services are on site.

A car breakdown on Graham Farmer Freeway, city bound on the Windan Bridge, Belmont, also caused some delays early today.

 

View the original article here

Perth husband betrayed by Chinese wife

A Perth man was betrayed by his Chinese wife who left him weeks after gaining permanent residency. Picture: AFP Source: PerthNow

A PERTH man, left betrayed and with sexually transmitted diseases, is warning others not to fall for the same tricks he did.

In April 2010, someone he now knows as the “madam” of a brothel introduced him to a Chinese woman, whom he married later that year.

On New Year’s Eve in 2012, less than three weeks after she gained permanent Australian residency, she left him - with genital warts and herpes.

It was then the signs fell into place: her ready cash, her late nights “at the casino” , her two mobile phones and her “friendship” with the madam, who once lent her $2700 for one visa application.

“I obviously had feelings for the woman, and turned a blind eye to a lot of things,” he said.

The man’s screens for other diseases came back clear, but the HIV test result will take several weeks.

Read more about this story at inmycommunity.com.au

View the original article here

Why is Grumpy Cat smiling?

Internet celebrity Grumpy Cat, the face that launched a thousand memes, makes a surprise appearance on Friskies Will Kitty Play With It?

SOCIAL MEDIA meme Grumpy Cat is laughing all the way to the bank after 'selling out' and appearing in a series of cat food ads.

The sourpuss, whose real name is Tartare Sauce, was signed up by United States cat food company Friskies earlier this month.

The first of the series of adverts has now hit the airwaves.

The dour-faced cat became famous after appearing in a slew of sharp-witted and cutting internet comments, mostly playing off her expression.

At a recent public appearance, fans waited in lines for up to three blocks in length for a glimpse of the curmudgeonly kitty.

The morbid moggy stars in Will Kitty Play With It?, part of a celebrity-filled series of commercials done in the style of a game show.

Grumpy Cat will no doubt revel in the scandal of selling out to corporate interests, though it is yet to be seen if her cutting internet comments will be curtailed.

The foul-mouthed kitty's rapid rise to fame and fortune even resulted in an interview with Forbes magazine.

View the original article here

Finks bikie jailed for 15 months

Bikie Stephen Wallace refused to answer if he knew Troy Mercanti, a former member of the Coffin Cheaters who defected to the Finks. Source: PerthNow

A Finks bikie has been jailed for 15 months for refusing to answer questions before the Australian Crime Commission.

Stephen John Wallace, 49, pleaded guilty to five offences of failing to answer questions at an examination in Perth in October 2009.

Wallace had made an affirmation to tell the truth but then refused to answer five questions including whether he was a member or associate of the Finks, if he had been "patched'' in July 2009, and if he knew fellow infamous bikies Frank Condo or Troy Desmond Mercanti.

In sentencing today, District Court Chief Judge Peter Martino told Wallace he had had a choice during the examination.

"You could comply with your legal obligations and answer questions, or you could choose to break the law and not answer questions,'' he said.

"You chose to break the law.''

Judge Martino noted Wallace had a long criminal record, including convictions for importing heroin into Australia.

He also considered that Wallace had served two years in prison for contempt of court by failing to answer questions before WA's Corruption and Crime Commission.

Judge Martino said general deterrence was an important factor.

"People must know that if they refuse to comply with their lawful obligation to answer questions at an examination before the Australian Crime Commission appropriate penalties will be imposed,'' he said.

Wallace was sentenced to 15 months in prison but could be free after just five months if he gives a $5000 undertaking to behave for two years.

If he breaches the undertaking, he will have to serve the rest of the sentence.

View the original article here

Zombie prostitute climbs from coffin

A PROSTITUTE who "died" having sex woke up screaming as she was being carried from the hotel in a coffin.

The drama unfolded at the Manor Hotel in Bulawayo when the woman, identified as MaNdlo  who plied her trade at the establishment, collapsed and apparantly died while with a customer.

But as her body was being placed in a steel coffin, she suddenly woke up screaming: "You want to kill me, you want to kill me" Bulawayo24.com reports.

A crowd which had gathered to watch the woman's "dead" body being removed ran for their lives when she woke.

"It was like a movie. People were running away in different directions. It was a scary incident because we were all convinced that she had died because she was just cold. Miracles surely do happen," one witness said.

Police reportedly kept their cool and tried to reason with the woman.

Hotel manager Raymond Nariti, who confirmed MaNdlo was a patron, said:  "The police officers came with a steel coffin but they left without carrying a body. So I do not know what happened."

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